stirrup English · revision 879
11 Oct 2026, 01:26 by bogdan “New entry from the dictionary sources (AHD, Barnhart, Etymonline, MW, OED, RHWU, Wiktionary)” current version
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈstɪ.ɹəp/, /ˈstʌ.ɹəp/ ''(UK)''; /ˈstɝ.əp/, /ˈstɪɹ.əp/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|enm|stirope]], [[inh|ang|stīgrāp]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) literally “climbing rope”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[af|ang|stīg|rāp|t1=a climbing, ascent|t2=rope]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) It is related to [[de|Stegreif]] and [[non|stigreip]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A support for the foot of a rider, hung from the saddle (c. 1000).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The stirrup was originally a looped rope to help in mounting.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) The word was extended to any piece resembling it in form or function,^(Etymonline) such as the foot rest of a crossbow (1371–73),^(OED 1989) a strap passing under the foot of a stocking or trousers (1650s),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the surgical supports used in childbirth (1884).^(Etymonline) The ''stirrup cup'', a drink handed to a rider about to set out, hence a parting glass, dates from the 1680s.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1000 – a rider's foot support.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)
+ * 1371–73 – the foot rest of a crossbow.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1650s – a strap passing under the foot.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1680s – ''stirrup cup''.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1884 – a surgical stirrup.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A flat-based loop or ring hung from either side of a horse's [[saddle]] to support the rider's foot.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # Any of various U-shaped supports or clamps.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(nautical)'' A rope hanging from a yard with an eye through which a footrope passes.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(anatomy)'' The [[stapes]], a small bone of the middle ear.^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[stirrup cup]]
+ * [[stirrup bone]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[stile]]
+ * [[stair]]
+ * [[rope]]
+ * [[stapes]]
+ * [[saddle]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}